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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




FRANK COBLER, 'THE 



VLKltt KRIHTBK," iatf W. FIRST ST., LOS ANGELES, CAL. 



CU. C. FlWEY, 

H A R D W A R K! 

59 and 61 North Spring Street, 

LOS ANGELES, - - CALIFORNIA. 



Gold Pans, Horn Spoons, Picks and Shovels, Canteens, and everything 
necessary for a complete outfit at bottom prices. 




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The Gold fields 



LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



BEING A COMPLEXE GUIDE BOOK WITH OFFICIAL MAPS, REVENUE 
AND MINING LAWS, ETC., ETC. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 



Southern California Publishing Co. 

Room No. 42, Lanfranco Block, Los Angeles, Cal. 

18 89. 



COPYRIGHT, 1881), 
B Y 

B. A. STEPHENS. 

AUTHOR OF 

The Quijotoa Guide Book, 

The Los Angeles City and County Guide Book, 
The Resources of Los Augeles Ccunty, 

A Succinct History of Los Angeles City, 
The Resources of 1 ulare Valley, 

Towns on the Santa Fe Ro\ite, 

Illustrated Chart of History of Arizona, 

Viticulture in Southern California, 

Secretary of Historical Society 

of Southern California 
Corresponding Memberof Wisconsin State Historical Society. 



. 






PREFACE. 



|jI|HE sudden migration of several thousand people into the Mexican 
^^ Territory of Lower California, caused by the discovery of rich gold 
fields there about two weeks ago, the lack of knowledge, among many who 
have gone there, of the country, its history, resources and laws, as well as to 
answer such questions among those abroad who cannot help feeling inter- 
ested in this mighty movement, has prompted the publication of this book. 
It was gold that caused the settlement of Alta California. History is repeat- 
ing itself in Biija California, that New Italy, which is indeed the colophon 
(Kalifornia) of that great book — the world. The great Peninsula is too good 
a country to remain any longer a terra incognita. 

B. A. Stephens. 
Los Angeles, March 8, 1889. 



CHAPTER I. 

Introductory — The Discovery — The Rush to the Mines — An Expert's 
Report — The Geological Character of the Mines — The Route to 
the Mines — Col. T. Masac's Concession. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

The United States might he expected to make no great way in civilization till they be fully 
peopled to the Pacific, and it might not be unreasonable to expect when that event has occurred, 
the greatest civilization of that territory will be found in the Peninsula of California and the 
narrow strip of country beyond the Rocky Mountains.— Vestiges of Creation, A. D. 1835. 

Where are the gold fields of Lower California? How can I get there? 
How much is the fare? Is there any reason for all this excitement? Are 
the news from the Santa Clara gold mines reliable? What are the tariff and 
mining laws of Mexico? In case these mines should fail, will it pay to 
settle in that country? Tell me all about it. 

These are sample questions that are being asked by thousands of people 
on hearing the news that gold is being found in fabulous quantities in the 
gulches and canons of the Mexican territory of Lower California. Such 
reports have been coming in for some three weeks past. A gold mine has a 
peculiar fascination for the human mind, and rouses a strong excitement. 
The reports have been confirmed by persons returning from the mines with 
gold dust and nuggets which they themselves dug out. This increased the 
excitement to such an extent that nearly all the male population of Ensen- 
ada have gone to the mines, something like 3000 people have left San Diego, 
and on one day (Saturday, March 9, 1889) fully 600 people left Los Angeles 
on one train. At present writing, miners, prospectors and tenderfeet are 
flocking in by scores and hundreds from all the Pacific States and Terri- 
tories. Large numbers are crossing 1 y the old route of the Patys, the Ken- 
tucy trappers, who went from Yuma to Santa Catarina Mission in 1828. 
Rich and poor, big and little, prominent and obscure people are hastening 
to the find, and a low estimate will place 5000 Americans now at the Santa 
Clara gold mines. 

Coming right on the heels of the financial depression which followed 
the great real estate boom of 1886-7 in Southern California, its excitement 
affords temporary relief to minds made melancholy by commonplace timet. 



6 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



The San Diego Union and Bee of March 9, 1889, thus appropriately 
comments : 

" The watchwords of prosperity have been changed. A week ago we 
talked commercial development, and questioned each other about railroad 
projects. To-day, in meeting a man we do not waste words by inquiring 
into his intentions, but straightway ask, ' When do you leave for the mines?' 
Not long ago we were selling land. To-day we are dealing in picks, pans, 
tents and camp-kettles. A little time ago we shouted ourselves hoarse in 
our efforts to excel our neighbors in patriotism and in love of home. To-day we 
seek a valid excuse for breaking away and going into a foreign land becaus-e 
the gold is there. We seek for an excuse, and rinding none, go anyway and 
let the excuses take care of themselves. These are among the effects of the 
mining boom in our midst. 

"What is the fi re of our friends who have gone before? We say 
' gone before ' advisedly, for no man can say who will go next. In the camp 
some men will succeed — some will bring back gold as some have done, and 
some will return with empty pockets. All men will not succeed. All never 
do anywhere. It is not the fault of the place but of the men. Some will 
call it luck, others will name it by other names. The result will be that 
the prospectors will find out more about Lower California tban has been 
known before. They will penetrate the country and examine it with the 
careful eye of the gold finder. Others, not prospectors, will also learn the 
country, seeing it with the eye of the gold seeker. One of the greatest 
results of the mining boom will be that Lower California will be better 
known and its features more clearly understood. The history of early Cali- 
fornia life will be repeated. Many will soon tire of the tediousness of 
mining, and some of these will return, but many will not. Those who stay 
there will seek other and more congenial avocations. They will become 
tillers of the soil, they will investigate the possibilities of manufacturing, 
and the country will be developed through their exertions. The results will 
be commen mrate with the efforts of the individuals. There are many 
opportunities for men in Lower California, and 'our sister republic' will 
reap a rich harvest from an accession of workers. The International 
Company will be greatly affected by so sudden and great an increase of peo- 
ple on the peninsula. For a long time that corporation has been spending 
money to get people to go to Ljwer California. Now they are going. It 
matters not whether they go in just the manner that the corporation 
desires. They are going, and will continue to go — and it will be for corpor- 
ate interests to adapt themselves to popular wants, The International 
Company can greatly assist the incoming population, and profit by the 
reflex benefit." 







m m 




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LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



THE DISCOVERY. 

•' About the 23d day of last February," says George Robarts, an " Indian 
came into a store in Ensenada with considerable gold dust. The store- 
keeper shrewdly obtained from the Indian the knowledge of the location of 
his mine and went there himself to work. His continued absence led others 
to look for him and discover his secret. Their success in gathering gold 
speedily became known. Ensenada became excited, tben San Diego, then 
Los Angeles and all Southern California. The Indian's mine was in the 
Santa Clara valley, about forty-five miles southeast of Ensenada." 

The following extracts from responsible newspapers and their corre- 
spondents will tell the tale : 

The Lower California!!, under date of March 7, 1889, has the following 
interesting letter from the mines. Immediately upon receipt of the first 
news, one of the editors of the paper, Ira Bennett, a man not easily deceived 
in mining matters, left for the mines, and the following is a letter from him 
which will be of interest. 

" The excitement created in regard to these mines was started over the 
diggings of a single gulch (Canada Mexicana), one of the smallest in the 
whole district, and now almost dry. All work — except a few locations of 
ledges — has been done in this gulch until now. Gold was first discovered 
here, and it was here that the ten-ounce nugget was found. American 
gulch, a branch of Mexican gulch, and widening at the head into a wide 
mesa, bears indications of still greater richness than the little gulch where 
work is now being done. By the time you receive this a string of locations 
will be made along the stream, which is quite large, and good developments 
are expected. The head of American gulch is bounded by high hills, and in 
these, especially Gold Hill, most of the locations of quartz ledges have been 
made. L. H. Gaskill, Charles Bennett, John Vipon and otheis have been 
exploring this region, and both Mr. Gaskill and Mr. Bennett tell me that 
indications point to richer developments than have been made anywhere for 
years. The Centipede lead, which passes through the center of Gold Hill, is 
about twelve feet wide, and specimens pulverized in a mortar yield at the 
rate of $300 to $500 per ton. No quicksilver was used, but only a gold-pan, 
so that much of the fine gold was lost. A close assay would doubtless show 
an average of $500 per ton. The Centipede, in Mr. GaskelFs opinion, is the 
mother vein of the district, as its length — already discovered eight miles — 
and richness would seem to indicate. The ledge is composed of rose quail z, 
with an iron stain. Mr. Gaskill and his company have also located and 
denounced six other ledges, as follows : Mescal, one mile-north of the Cen- 
tipede; Bonita, on Burro Hill, adjoining American gulch; Oro Fino, on 
Gold Hill; Gold Queen and Cholla, both at the head of American gulch. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 9 

Several more locations have been made by the same parties, and other 
ledges have been located by a company of ten organized in Ensenada. 

"On Saturday, March 2, 1889, there were 300 Americans in Santa Clara 
Camp. 

"Many Mexicans have brought their wives and families, and intend to 
stay here till they make their pile. The camp is strung along Mexican 
gulch for two miles, the Mexicans occupying the head of the gulch and most 
of the Americans clustering 'at the foot, around the camp of Messrs. 
Edwards and Anderson, who are among the pioneers. The wbole district 
presents a busy scene, and work is going on in all directions. Gold is found 
in every pan, and enthusiasm in every camp. No one is to presume that 
all are getting rich ' hand over fist,' striking pockets at every blow of tbe 
pick, etc., or tbat this differs from the ordinary mining camp. On the con- 
trary, many are barely paying their grub, and occasionally an unfortunate 
argonaut is encountered who came here on great expectations, and who is 
forced to apply to his fellow miner for rations. But these are exceptional ; 
tbe majority are making good wages, and $25 to $100 per day is not uncom- 
mon. As was remarked by Charles Bennett, the richness of the diggings is 
so wonderful that the average prospector, if he does not find nuggets by the 
panful, throws it away in disgust, not stopping to wash out the fine gold. 
All gold taken out- here is very coarse, in size from a pea to an- inch in 
diameter. Color has been found in every gulch so far prospected, and even 
on the hills near a ledge a panful yields ten cents of gold. 

" There is room here for 1,000 prospectors, and it would take that num- 
ber of men three months to prospect this district, irix miles to the south- 
east of Alamo butte, which is the base of all measurements here, the Lopez 
brothers are opening a ledge of promising ore. There are several fine 
locations for mill sites near their mine, with water (temporary) in the 
adjacent canon. The extent of the district is wonderful, and it all promises 
equally well. If half is realized which now appears on the surface, this dis- 
trict will excel anything discovered since 1849. A healthy sign is found in 
the way the veteran prospectors are sticking to this country. They do not 
say much but their silence speaks. 

"A word to new comers : Let all bummers and gamblers stay away. 
The police force is well organized in this camp, perfect order is maintained, 
and no lawlessness, claim-jumping or other customary mining camp antics 
will be tolerated. All peaceable prospectors, willing to work, will find a 
welcome and plenty of room and material. All outfitting should be done in 
Ensenada or San Diego, as grub and tools cannot be obtained here. Fresh 
beef can be had, however, at 25 cents a pound, and an enterprising Mexican 
has established a portable blacksmith shop. 

" Gaskill, Bennett & Co. have located seven ledges, and work will begin on 
them as soon as tools and machinery can be got on the ground. It is my 
opinion that the best pay for this camp in the future will be from the quartz 



10 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



mines, although it will be many a month before the placers are exhausted. 
The men with whom I am camping have taken out of one hole, five feet 
deep, eight feet long and six feet wide, something like $200. This was done 
in about four days, and no pockets have been struck. They are down to bed- 
rock, and great hopes are entertained for the next few days' Work. 

•' Bennett, McGrath & Co. have located a gold quartz ledge in American 
gulch, below the junction of American and Mexican gulches, and named it 
" The Feverish Hornet." It is a rich strike. 

" Now is the time to come if work in the placers is contemplated. As I 
write reports come in of rich quartz finds near the Lopez mines, and this 
afternoon four parties in Mexican gulch took out over $200, one nugget 
weighing $28. Several pockets have been struck during the day, but it is 
difficult to ascertain the amount, as the boys are not quick to give away 
their affairs. It is sufficient to say that this is the most promising gold field 
on the coast. I. E. B." 

M. W. Wallace returned from the Santa Clara gold mines on March 8, 
1889, and said to a Union and Bee reporter : 

"I saw a number of rich finds. Those who are working with the pan 
are taking out all the way from $10 to $50 per day, and some have gone as 
high as $300. I saw a Mexican take out a large nugget which I should 
judge weighed between four and five ounces. He was offered $100 in Mex- 
ican money for it and refused to accept. A moment later I heard him offer 
to sell his claim for $150. He found no purchasers, as there were plenty of 
claims near by just as good, and he wanted to sell because five ounces is 
more than enough for a Mexican miner for a week." 

W. C. Van Arnam and J. C. Amend t have returned from Santa Clara. 
They are very enthusiastic. Both say there is not the slightest doubts as to 
the wonderful richness of the region. Of that they are satisfied. They say 
that the Mexicans who have been longest at work in the diggings are taking 
out gold to the extent of $15 a day each. They say that there is a great lack 
of mining implements and that there is a crying want for rockers. 

They say it would be well for all to come well provided with such tools. 
As to the richness of the ground there can be no doubt, and this is exem- 
plified by the fact that many Americans who are working, and simply as an 
experiment too, the ground abandoned by the Mexicans, pan out from 25 to 
50 cents to the pan, with which the old miners now seem to be perfectly con- 
tent. Indeed, they wink their eyes, as much as to say: "When these duff- 
ers get through, we'll have a picnic." A Mexican took out $1500 in two days 
in the space of eight feet square. Very rich quartz lodes are being dis- 
covered, and they promise even more than the placers. There is no doubt 
of the richness of the placers; the only question is: How extensive are 
they? 

Ex-Governgr Ryerson says that the largest nuggets weighs "only 10 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 11 

ounces, lacking 80 cents. The lump has been exaggerated to 27 ounces by 
some one, land has so appeared in the papers. It is also an exageration to 
say that miners are shaking nuggets off the grass roots or using a plow to 
turn them out of the ground as one might picture. I think it is also an ex- 
aggeration to say that everybody is finding gold. I believe that more who 
go down will not make expenses than will go and get a stake. I am certain, 
however, that all prospectors who know how to prospect for gold, where to 
get dirt and how to get it out after they get the dirt in the pan, will make 
money, and good money. I don't believe that more than one in ten who go 
down to the fields know how to do this, and therefore I believe that about 
nine in ten will come back broke, or at least dissatisfied." 

H. H. Douglas, of the Ensenada Commission Agency, and who has had 
several years' experience in the mines of Arizona, visited the new mines the 
first of the week. The Telemeco, the Ulise and the Princess, all on the 
same vein, and the Crusinero, Grande and Grandota on another streak, 
which are three to six feet rose quartz croppings all in the Los Alamo Basin, 
are, in his opinion, the best ledges yet found. He said if he owned any of 
them he would sink on them. He thought the district would be particularly 
valuable as a quartz mining district, although the placers are good as long as 
water lasts. 

S. Lidy is in from the new diggings. He reports that those who are 
working are doing well on the average. Will Cochrane, he says, located a 
placer claim in one of the many little gulches near camp, and while work- 
ing it discovered a blind lead which prospects very rich. When his discovery 
was made known, 150 men flocked into the gulch and are thoroughly pros- 
pecting it. 

Emil Quarre received a letter last week from Pigot, formerly proprietor 
of the Commercial restaurant, who is now at Ensenada, and in that letter 
Pigot more than confirms all that has been said concerning the richness of 
the diggings. Pigot advises Quarre to come south at once, so as to be 
among the first in vhe field. 




12 



LOWER CALIFORNIA. 




HARBOR OF SAN QUINT1N 

LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



xpfffef-is (jT" 1 -.-, ^f'^ry 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 13 



THE RUSH TO THE MINES. 

Such news as the foregoing produced the profoundest sensation. Each 
day brought a seeming confirmation of the truth of the reports, and the 
rush to the mines began. First, all the male population of Ensenada went. 
The surplus population of San Diego followed. The following telegrams 
and letters tell the story well : 

Santa Clara Mines, via Ensenada, March 5, 1889. 

[Special to the Los Angeles Tribune] — Your reporter on arriving at the 
Santa Ciara mines found the camp containing about three hundred persons, 
with the gold fever running high, but otherwise very orderly. 

The camp is about forty miles from Ensenada over a good wagon road 
via San Rafael, where hay and grain can be had, the first at 1^ cents and the 
latter at 4 cents per pound. 

I find the diggings so far confined to one gulch about two miles long, 
the pay dirt averaging 25 feet in width. The gold is found in this gulch in 
a thin deposit of sand and gravel. I find that there are several other gulches 
of a similar character which when prospected will be found equally rich 
with the one now being worked. Everybody is in a rush, and the character 
of the work is such that no provision is made for the saving of the finer 
particles of the precious metal, and the washings of both rocker, pan and 
bateo show nothing but coarse nuggets, many of which weigh as high as $5, 
$10, and some even reach the size of $20 pieces, and I am told that men are 
making as high as $20, $50 and even $100 per day in favorable localities. 
Be this true or false, one thing is certain, all who are here are satisfied and 
no one leaves except when compelled to do so for the purchase of supplies. 
I also visited fourteen quartz ledges which have been located. Nine of these 
are rosy quartz considerably honeycombed, showing the presence of iron — 
that sine qua non of gold-bearing quartz — in considerable quantity. These 
ledges vary from two to six feet in width and lie between a slate and por- 
phyry contact. Free gold is seen quite frequently in these ores. The geo- 
logical formation, as I said before, is slate and porphyry, with a syenite 
butte in the center of the camp, rising 400 feet above the surrounding 
country. Like all new camps where the gold excitement runs high, every- 
thing is very scarce and everything very dear. Water, timber and gold 
seeming to be the only things that are plentiful and easily obtained. Per- 
sons coming here should be sure to supply themselves well with tools, bed- 
ding and provisions. Not failing to remember that they must also start 
with sufficient coin to pay the duty on their teams and outfit when crossing 
the line, as Mexico, like our own country, believes in a protective tariff. I 
will send you fuller details when I have had time to make a fuller investi- 
gation. 



14 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



San Diego, March 7, 1389. 

The gold fever grows in excitement hourly. Nothing else is heard of on 
the streets except wonderful finds of nuggets, which add fuel to the fire. All 
want to go, and many are making all sorts of excuses to close up their 
business here and get away as soon as possible. Many are going with 
scarcely enough to take them to the land of promise, and to those without 
some means the earnest advice is again given to consider well before going. 
It is absolute folly for any man to go unless he is well equipped for a month 
at least. The rush is not phenomenal by any means, considering the nature 
of the reports that are being received. In a mining country such reports 
would mean a perfect stampede, and if 10 per cent, of the people who went 
in would succeed it would be considered unprecedented. If one man in ten 
d^es well — and there is reason to believe that two men out of five will suc- 
ceed in this boom — the region will form an interesting portion, of the 
mineral-producing history of America. 

The exodus has begun in earnest, however, and men are going to the 
mines, and going in. the most fantastic manner. The roads are lined with 
them, and a motley crew they are. One party of ten is on the way, with a 
wagon loaded heavily with their outfits. They have no animals to draw 
their vehicles, but four of them have improvised harness and are pulling, 
while the others in turn push behind. 

A correspondent of the San Diego Union and Bee wrote : 

bANTA Clara Mines, Tuesday March 5, 1889. 

Since my last letter about 100 Mexicans and equally as many Americans 
have arrived. Ensenada is almost depopulated of the male population, and 
a great many are here from San Diego. A number of persons have left in 
disgust, as they term it, but they are of the sort that would leave heaven in a 
week if they did not get ice cream three times per day. What I said in my 
first letter regarding the mines I want to reiterate. 

There is lots of gold here, and it is not confined to any particular local- 
ity. Four gulches have been worked up to this writing, and gold in colors 
and nuggets has been taken out in all of them. Men who know nothing 
whatever about mining come here with a garden hoe and greasy dish pan to 
rake up a fortune in a day. They generally dig a hole about big enough to 
bury a cat in, and finding nothing, sit down and curse. Others come decked 
as if they were starting on an English chase, their wagons are loaded with 
all the delicacies imaginable, and before camp is made they are digging 
away as if the mountains were to be turned over. This class generally lasts 
until their grub is gone, and all the work they do is on the day of arrival. 
There is still another class who accomplish nothing and go away kicking. 
They are what are called by miners " coyotes," or pocket robbers. This 
set will work in no one place more than an hour at a time. Every time a 
nugget is found in ear-shot of them, they "pull up stakes" and rush to the 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 15 

the scene. They come into camp tired and hungry after a day of useless en- 
deavor, and that graduates them for camp loafers, or sends them home 
grumbling. Too many people have false ideas about mines and mining. 
Gold does not grow on trees, but under the grass, the ground and rocks. It 
takes work, and the hardest work that is known, to reach the precious 
metal. I make these introductory remarks so as to bring the cold facts be- 
fore your readers. I am cooking for five men and myself, and you can bet 
your chance for the " Pearly Gates " it keeps me hustling. My grub gave 
out and I had to come down off the plug-hat perch. The only loafer is a 
fellow with the ready cash, or the sport who wants that cash. 

San Diego, March 7, 1889. 

[Special dispatch to the Evening Express.]— The mining news contin- 
ues most favorable, and San Diego has the appearance of the palmiest days 
of the boom. The streets are rilled with strangers outfitting for the mines 
and with wagons and pack mules loaded with miners' outfits. An average 
of 600 men have left daily for the mines during the last four days, and to- 
day more than that number start. Help at the hotels and restaurants have 
largely left, and two-thirds of the force on the Cuyamaca Railroad are gone. 

Two hundred and fifty men came in on last night's train. The best 
indication regarding the value of the mines is that no one has returned except 
to replenish grub stakes. The telegraph operators have also joined the pros- 
pectors. 

Eight hundred men were camped at Tia Juana, awaiting clearance from 
the custom house. Ensenada is practically deserted by males. W. C' 
VaniArman and J. C. Amendt of San Diego, who were among the first at the 
mines, arrived at Ensenada last night. Both are very enthusiastic, the only 
question being how long will the placers last. Fifteen good rich ledges have 
already^been discovered and promise a permanent camp. 

Experienced Mexican miners average $15 a day with crude tools. Book- 
ers are very much needed. Numerous other valleys are to prospect when 
the present find is exhausted. One Mexican took out $1500 in two days in 
a pocket eight feet square, and 25 to 50 cents a pan is made by Americans 
who|wash over the ground after the Mexicans. 

The largest nugget found yet weighed ten ounces. The gold is very 
pure and assays 13 carats. Of course it will be well to remember that the 
majority who go, even if the camp is good, will not even pay expenses. 
Only experienced miners stand a good show. Tenderfeet will do well to 
hesitate, especially before leaving a gcod business at home. Gold dust is 
coming in quite freely. Plenty of wool and grass are found at the mines. 
Grub is scarce and the valley being 4£00 above the sea the weather is cold. 
A stage line*now runs from San Diego, making the trip in three days. D. 

San Diego, Cal., March 7, 1889. 
[Special dispatch to the Evening Express. j — Hundreds of men are leav- 



16 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



ing here, and the roads are lined with them and their vehicles. No convey- 
ance however shaky is refused, and a man with a road cart and a tough 
broncho thinks he is well off. One party of ten managed to get hold of a 
wagon, but as they could not secure horses they took turns, four at a time, 
in hauling the affair. The crowds are kept waiting, to their great disgust, 
at the line, where their goods and outfits have to be overhauled by the 
custom house officers, and Tia Juana is consequently surrounded by the 
camp fires of those waiting to cross the line or of those who have already 
cleared. 

The great trouble seems to be that many are starting off for the mines 
with barely enough provender to carry them through, and when they arrive 
it is more than likely that many of them will suffer greatly from the scarcity 
of food and raiment. One set of men, whose looks show them to be tender- 
feet of the tenderest kind, started out from here yesterday with hardly grub 
enough to take them across the line, and with no more clothes than the thin 
apparel they wore during the winter here. 



OTHER MINES. 

The mines of Lower California are yet to be developed, but the moun- 
tain ranges contain various minerals, such as silver, copper, iron and coal. 
Gold has been found on the coast and in some of the valleys, and already 
mines in several localities are being successfully worked. The International 
Company has already discovered a large deposit of iron ore twelve miles 
south of Todos Santos bay, and two large veins of coal closely approaching 
Pennsylvania anthracite. Among other mineral deposits have also been 
found marble, red sandstone, hone stone and alabaster, and at San Quintin 
bay there is a large deposit of salt. Ten miles from Ensenada is a fine de- 
posit of iron, which will cause the erection of smelting works, and give em- 
ployment to several hundred men. 

Take the" San Nicolas mine. In the early days this mine kept from 
twenty to fifty men constantly at work with eighteen rastras. Each rastra 
turned out from $18 to $75 per week, runing in the fashion of the natives — 
from 9 or 10 a. m. till 3 or 4 p. m. 

.The San Nicolas Company has put a practical and experienced miner 
in as superintendent. They have twelve men at work. The mill is 
expected to be ready to start up in a few days. 

The International Mining Company have twenty-five men at work at 
Valledares bringing in the water. A good man of experience has been sent 
there to take charge of the work. The mining engineer has been there and 
examined the mines and believes there is good pay to be taken out. The 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 17 

Company has also put men at work on four other mines with good pros- 
pects. 

In all the placers good work is being done in a small way, but enough 
to show what might be done on a much larger scale. 

The International Mining Company have a force of men at work on the 
sulphur mine near the Colorado Eiver. One of tbe best miners on the Pen- 
insula, who has just been there, says that he believes it to be a property of 
great value — sulphur without end. 

The Lisalda gold mine, which is a short distance below the interna- 
tional boundary, beyond Tia Juana, Lower California, bas been bonded for 
six months by a syndicate. This is one of the best properties on the penin- 
sula, the assays showing from $30 to $400 a ton. Gold and silver ore is 
taken from a six-foot vein with 300 feet of working. The ore will be 
shipped to the National City reduction works. This is the well known 
Cuerro Venadas mines, fourteen miles south of the boundary line and about 
four miles from either the proposed Coast or Inland line of the Peninsula 
railway. 

Lugo Bello has denounced a newly discovered mine near the Sauzal 
road, about a mile and a half from Ensenada, which has been named the 
" Noche Buena." This new prospect is a perpendicular iron-capped ledge of 
about three feet in thickness at the top and increasing to four and one-half 
feet in thickness at a depth of eight feet, to which depth the vein is bared. 
A good start has been made towards opening a tunnel and clearing a 
road from the ledge to the Sauzal road. No test has yet been made of the 
ore, but a quantity was forwarded by Mr. Bello to parties in San Francisco a 
a few days since, and its value will soon be known. The ore is composed 
largely of iron, with no doubt some gold and silver. 

The San Francisco mine, near the St. Nicholas, has three true fissure 
veins. A seventy-foot horizontal tunnel has so far developed three distinct 
pockets ; the last one yielded $12,000. 

There are valuable gold placers in the foothills east of San Quintin, 
which are fully as rich as those of San Rafael or Santa Clara. The Mexi- 
cans work them in a quiet way a few months each year, taking out sufficient 
gold for their necessities. 

I Near Santa Gertrudes mission, sou th of _San Quin tin, are very rich gold 
placers. Being in the arid zone of the peninsula on the eastern slope of the 
Sierra Madre, they are difficult to work on account of lack of water, except 
in the rainy season. The mines on the western slope of the Sierra do not 
have this difficulty. 



18 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



THE ROUTE TO THE MINES. 



By reference to the map of the Peninsula of California on page 36, the 
Santa Clara gold mines can be easily located. In the upper left hand corner, 
within the boundary of the United States of America, is the city of San 
Diego. Down the coast, just below the 32d parallel of latitude, is the 
Ensenada de Todos Santos (Bay of All Saints — 30 called because dis- 
covered by the Spanish on that day 287 years ago). Here is the town of 
Ensenada, the capital of the Upper District of Baja California, having a 
population of some 3,000, and is the residence of Governor Don Luis E. 
Torres. About 45 miles southeast of Ensenada, over the first range of 
mountains, which in themselves are only the foot-hills of the Sierra Madre, 
is the little valley of Santa Clara, named for the holy abbess of the Italian 
convent of Porciuncula. Yet so small is this valley that it is not mentioned 
in either Books B or C of the Field Notes of the survey for the International 
Company ; nor is it marked on any of their large maps, and very obscurely 
on one of their small maps. 

From Ensenada there is a road going southerly through the Maneadero 
valley, then easterly through the La Grulla valley and over the mountain 
divide into the Santa Clara valley, a total distance of about 45 miles. From 
Ensenada to La Grulla is a line wagon road over which a team can trot the 
whole distance ; and from there on is a wagon road over the divide 
between La Grulla and Santa Clara valleys. 

There are two ways of reaching the Santa Clara gold mines: 

1. By steamer from San Diego to Ensenada, 67 miles; thence by team 
to Real del Castillo, 30 miles; thence to Santa Clara about 35 miles; total, 
142 miles. 

2. By team or stage direct from San Diego. From the latter place to 
Tia Juana is about 14 miles. The town of Tia Juana(Aunt Jane) is situated 
on both sides of the boundary line between the United States of America 
and the United States of Mexico. Here are the custom house of both 
republics. Having unwound and wound up the red tape satisfactorily to the 
Mexican republic, the traveler can continue his journey. The mines are 
about 90 miles from Tia Juana. 

The road is excellent all the way except in one place between Vallecitc s 
and San Rafael. Here for about ten miles there are a good many gulches. 
After leaving Tia Juana the first settlement is at Canacio valley, 15 miles. 
There are only one or two houses here. Fifteen miles further is the Valle 
de los Palmos. Here is a hotel, stables and corrals. This fertile valley is 
owned by a company, with Ex-Governor Eli Murray, of Utah, at the head. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 19 

Then comes Vallecitos (little valley), the manor of Ex-Governor George 
Ryerson, a Texan by birth, an American by descent, the predecessor of Gov- 
ernor Torres, and a resident here for 35 years. The road passes close to his 
flour mill, which is kept running on the wheat raised here. The road con- 
tinues through the picturesque Burro Canon into the Gaudalupe valley, 
the ranch of T. L. Flowers, an American who has lived here a great many 
years. Here the road forks, the right hand branch, returning to the coast, 
leads to Ensenada. At the south end of the valley are the ruins of the old 
mission of San Miguel. 

The left hand road is followed to the mining town of Real del Castillo, 
in the San Rafael valley. At this town is an. old stamp mill. Here Col. 
Theophilus Masac has a mining concession from the Mexican government, 
embracing an area of 115.82 square miles, or more than 74,000 acres. The 
road passes through Col. Masac's concession to the Santa Clara mining dis- 
trict, which adjoins it on the south. The stage coaches should make the trip 
from San Diego to Santa Clara in 25 hours. The route and the mines are 
•plainly marked on the map on page 36, which was specially sketched for this 
book. 

The best of it is that Santa Clara valley does not have all the gold 
mines of Baja California, as will be seen by reference to the map, which 
marks other known gold fields. 

San Diego is reached from all parts of the United States by the Santa 
Fe railroad. The Pacific Coast Steamship Company have a line of steamers 
running there from San Pedro and San Francisco. The International Com- 
pany's steamers make three trips per week between San Diego and 
Ensenada. 

Ed. C. Burlingame of Los Angeles, has establ shed a line of freight 
teams between Ensenada and Santa Clara, and will give rates on transporta- 
tion^ goods. 

A line of stages run daily from San Diego, via Tia Juana and Real del 
Castillo to Santa Clara. 

Persons coming to the mines from El Paso or San Francisco take the 
Southern Pacific railroad to Los Angeles and then proceed to San Diego 
either by^rail or steamer, direct to Ensenada by steamer. 




20 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 

From ENSENADA to— miles. 

Santa Clara -42 

Real del Castillo 30 

San Rafael valley 25 

Jocolitos via Real del Castillo 4"> 

Juarez " " and Jocolitos 7"> 

Camp National " " Hanson's 75 

Socorro " " Valle Trinidad 160 

Valle Trinidad " " Santa Catarina 110 

Santa Catarina " " Sangre de Cristo 90 

Mouth of Colorado river via Valle Trinidad 200 

Valledares via Real and " " 140 

Rosarito " " " " " 20(» 

Agua Dulce " " " " " 250 

" " " Santo Tomas and San Quintin 230 

San Quintin overland 161 

" " by water 110 

San Pedro de Martir pine region 200 

San Telmo 101 

Camalu 121 

Colnett 100 

San Vicente Old Mision 66 

San Isidro via San Vicente 81 

" " " water 54 

San Vicente valley and mesa 86 

Salado 81 

San Antonio valley 78 

Santo Tomas 36 

" " landing, by water 25 

From SAN QUIN1IN to— 

Rosario 38 

San Fernando 98 

Agua Dulce 150 

San Carlos via Rosario and seashore 88 

San Ramon 27 

Camalu 40 

San Telmo 60 

Collnett 75 

Valledares 75 

Rosarito 68 

San Pedro de Martir pine region 120 

From SAN DIEGO to— 

Ensenada by water 67 

" land 110 

Real del Castillo 100 



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22 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



CHAPTER II. 

Mexican Revenue Laws — The Free List of the Government — Mexi- 
can Import Duties — The Free Zone — Mexican Export Duties — 
List of Ports (Custom Houses) For the Coasting Trade — 
Passengers and Baggage — How Revenue Offenders are Pun- 
ished — The Free List of the International Company. 

MEXICAN REVENUE LAWS. 

While the tariff is a very simple question politically, it becomes very 
intricate and complex upon application because of the almost infinite differ- 
ences in character of the many and various objeets which it affects. That 
a tariff is necessary for a revenue or is protective to certain classes are prop- 
ositions easily understood and to which common assent is readily given, but 
to know how much it costs to get across the national boundary line into 
Mexico involves either considerable study of the consular reports before 
hand, or direct application with the bill of goods in hand to the Mexican 
consuls. The latest revised lists of the Mexican tariff may be obtained by 
addressing a letter to the Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. The Mexi- 
can tariff is peculiar. Not only is there a national tariff, but there is also 
an inter-state tariff, different States having different rates. Besides there 
is a special duty for the Federal District (formerly known as the State of 
Mexico) and the Territory of Baja California. Even some of the cities have 
a tariff, while the Zona Libre (described elsewhere) has a very low tariff. 
The Mexican tariff laws are not uniform, neither are they always enforced 
with the same vigor. 

The traveler who crosses the national boundary line into Lower Cali- 
fornia, goes into another republic, having a different government, laws and 
administration from those of the United States of America. The following 
pages have been carefully compiled from the latest published circulars on 
that subject, and will serve for general information : 

The duties of the revenue officers of Mexico are surrounded by fully as 
much red tape as those of America. The better way for any who intend 
shipping or taking any goods into Lower California, is to apply personally to 
the Mexican consuls in Los Angeles or San Diego, where the latest informa- 
tion in a continually changing law can be obtained, and where the neces- 
sary legal requirements can be performed. The tariff is continually chang- 
ing. Even now the present tariff is being revised. Below are the free lists 
as last published : 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 23 

THE FREE LIST OF THE GOVERNMENT. 

Animals of all classes, living, except altered horses ; apparatus for ex- 
tinguishing fires, with six charges of liquid ; arsenic, white ; asbestos, in 
powder; acids, sulphuric, chloro-hydric, phenic ; anchors, with and without 
chains for vessels. 

Bags, common, of all materials; barrels and pipes (.casks), when empty; 
books and music, printed and not bound ; boxes, common, of wood, nailed 
together or in pieces; bricks of refractory earth. 

Cable, of aloe or hemp, measuring from three centimeters of diameter 
to 94 2-10 milimeters of circumference; caustic soda; chloride, bisulphide 
or trisulphide of lime; clay, sand and blotting sand; clocks for towers and 
public buildings ; coaches and railway cars ; coal of all kinds ; cork, in bulk 
or in sheets; crucibles of all materials and sizes. 

Eggs; emery, in powder or in grain; engines, steam, locomotives and 
other things necessary for building railways. 

Firewood ; fish, fresh ; fodder, hay. 

Glycerine, odorless ; gold, silver and platinum in bullion or in dust. 

Hops; houses of wood and iron, complete; hyposulphate of soda. 

Iron and steel rails for railways; iron with hooks for making packages; 
iron hoops with rivets for the same objects ; iron or lead tubing of all 
dimensions. 

Knives, hatchets, scythes, sickles, rakes, shovels, pickaxes, spades, hoes 
and mattocks of iron or steel for agriculture. 

Letters, plates, spaces, vignettes, type and other necessary articles for 
printing; lime (common), hydraulic lime or Roman cement. 

Machinery and apparatus of all kinds not specified for manufacturing, 
agriculture, mining, the arts and sciences, and their separate parts whenever 
these cannot be used separately; masts for vessels ; money, legal, of gold 
or silver. 

Oars for boats ; ores. 

Periodicals and catalogues, printed; plants, living, and seeds for horti- 
culture; plows and plowshares; poisons used m preparing skins; powder, 
wicks, fuse and explosive compounds for mines ; pumice-stone. 

Quicksilver. 

Rags, paper clippings and pulp of all kinds for paper-making; refrac- 
tory earth. 

Saltpetre, whether nitrate of potash or soda; slate for roofing, from two 
to three millimeters in thickness ; Spanish white ; steel, bars of round or 
octagonal, for mines; stones, precious; sulphate of ammonia: sulphate of 
copper. 

Tiles, earthen, of all kinds ; tin, in plates up to forty centimeters in 
length by thirty-eight inches in breadth, not stamped or painted; timber, 
building. 

Vaccine ; vessels of all kinds when nationalized or sold. 



24 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Wire, barbed, with staples for fencing; wire cable, of iron or steel, of 
all thickness ; wire, copper, insulated with any material for electrical light- 
ing, whenever the diameter of the wire, by itself, is up to No. 6 Birmingham 
measure, and the destination of wire is shown ; wire, telegraph and telephone 
intended for said purpose. 



MEXICAN IMPORT DUTIES. 

Following is a list of some of the more important articles for miners, 
carefully compiled from the last published report of the Department of 
State at Washington, D. C. : 

COTTONS. 

Name of Article. Weight, Measurement or Number. Rate of Duty. 

Canvas, net weight, kilogram* $ 65 

Clothing, ready made, legal weight, kilogram 2 50 

Collars and cuffs, net weight, " 3 60 

Corsets, net weight, " 1 90 

Cotton cloths, square meter* 11 

Coverlets, blaukets, etc., net weight, square meter 75 

Cravats, net weight, kilogram 1 90 

Curtains (cotton) except net square meter 20 

Elastic, of cotton and India rubber, net weight, 4 centimeters. 70 

Suspenders, legal weight, kilogram 65 

Handkerchiefs, square meter 16 

Shirts, net weight, kilogram 1 30 

" linen," " $3 80@7 00 

- Socks, underclothing, etc., kilogram 1 75 

Thread of all kinds, net weight, kilogram 1 60 

Umbrellas, each 60 

WOOLENS. 

Brussels carpets, square meter 1 60 

Woolen clothing ready made, net weight, kilogram 5 50 

Woolen coverlets, square meter 1 70 

Woolen underclothing, net weight, kilogram 2 10 

Endless belting (felt or wool) for machinery, net w't, kilogram 06 

Felt of wool (in pieces'! net weight 25 

Woolen gloves, net weight, kilogram $2 00@4 00 

Woolen underclothing net weight, kilogram 2 20 

Umbrellas (woolen), etc., each 1 00 

Woolen goods of all kinds, net weight, kilograms $1 05@4 80 

NUTRITIOUS SUBSTANCES. 

Barley, gross weight, kilogram 04 

Beer and cider in bottles, net weight, kilogram 30 

Beer and cider in barrels, net weight, kilogram 20 



' See table of metric system. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 25 

Bitters, net weight, kilogram 30 

Brandies, " " . . . 75 

Butter, " " 25 

Cheese, " " 15 

Cinnamon, " " 1 10 

Cloves, " " 65 

Coffee, " " 10 

Condensed milk, legal weight 25 

Confections, " kilogram 1 55 

Corn meal, gross weight, " 01 

Crackers " '• 15 

Fish, dried, salt, etc., " 12 

Fruits, dried, etc., net weight, " 10 

Lard, net weight, kilogram 20 

Molasses or honey ,[net weight, kilogram 08 

Oats, gross weight, kilogram 01 

( 'live oil, net weight " 20 

Onions, fresh, gross weight, kilogram .... 03 

Pepper, net weight, " 25 

Pickles, legal weight, " 50 

Potatoes, gross weight, " 03 

Preserves, legal weight, " 80 

Rice, gross weight, " 08 

Sardines, legal weight, " 15 

Salt, table, gross weight, •' 06 

Sausages, net weight, " 25 

Sugar, gross weight, " 15 

Ham, net weight, " 25 

Tea, " " 80 

Vinegar, " " 06 

Wheat, " " 05 

Wine, " " 20 

STONE WAEE. 

Bottles, empty, gross weight, kilogram 03 

Crockeryware, etc., " '• 15 

Crucibles, " " 01 

Demijohns, all sizes, " " 03 

Gypsum, ' " '• 12 

Lime, " " 01 

Mirrors, to 30 centimeters, gross weight, kilogram 25 

Whetstones, gross weight, " 10 

Window glass, all kinds, " " 25 

METALS, ETC. 

Alloy, gross weight, kilogram 1 25 

Bars of steel for mines, cylindrical and octagonal, gross weight 

kilogram 01 

Cable iron, gross weight, kilogram 01 



Copper, pigs, 
Cois, iron, 
Furniture, iron, 
" brass 

Iron, pigs, 



01 
25 
25 
30 
01 



rolled, sheet, etc., gross weight, kilogram 10 



26 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Iron of all qualities in bulk, bars, plates, etc., gross weight, 

kilogram 07 

Knives, picks, pans, etc., gross weight, kilogram 01 

Lead in blocks or sheets, " " 07 

Nails of all sizes, " " 13 

Needles, " " 35@95 

Pens, steel, " " 95 

Scissors, all sizes, " " 07 @35 

Steel, " '< 07 

Tin plate, all sizes, " " 07@35 

Tools, iron, brass, etc., " " 10 

Tubing, all dimensions, " " 01 

Wire, all classes, " " 10@2 50 

NOTIONS. 

Bellows, all kinds, gross weight, kilogram 10@30 

Belts, not with gold or silver buckles, gross wt., kilogram. .50@2 50 

Brushes, gross weight, kilogram 30 

Combs, all classes, gross weight, kilogram 25 

Cork, in bulk or sheet, " " 07 

Curtains, " " 35 

Emery, powdered, " " 08 

Flasks, all kinds, " " 30 

Ink, " " 25 

Lamp shades, " " 65 

Lanterns and lamps all kinds, gross weight, kilogram 30 

Lead pencils, gross weight, kilogram 20 

Matches, " " 1 25 

Oil cloth, " " 30 

Sandpaper, " " 06 

Sieves, " " 20 

Sponges, all kinds, " " 30@1 25 

Whips, " " 65 

Wicks, " " 30 

MACHINES, ETC. 

Clocks, all kinds, gross weight, kilogram 45@1 25 

Machines and apparatus of all classes, not specified, for indus- 
try, agriculture, mining, arts, etc., gross weight, kilogram 0^- 

Sewing machines, gross weights, kilogram 05 

Watche.-, all kinds, each 50@14 00 

CARRIAGES. 

Vehicles of all kinds, each $10 00@66 00 

AMMUNITION. 

Lead, gross weight, kilogram 07 

Powder, for mines, gross weight, kilogram 01 

" arms, " " 1 10 

Guns, all kinds, " " 82@ I 25 

W T icks and fuse for mines, gross weight, kilogram 01 

WOODS, ETC. 

Barrels and boxes, empty, gross weight, each 05 

Casks, etc., " " 06 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 27 

Cols, wood etc., " " 16 

FumLure, all kinds, " " 15@35 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Blank books, gross weight, kilogram '96 

Books, " " 1 00 

Documents, all kinds, gross weight, kilogram 65 

Paper, " " " 07@65 

Plaving cards, " " 1 05 

Belting (leather) " " 50 

Boots, cowhide, pair 1 50 

" calf, " 2 50 

Bridles, gross weight, kilogram 65 

Gloves, net weight " 3 25@6 00 

Carriage harness, gross weight, kilogram 1 50 

Leather, all kinds, net weight, " 1 55 

Shoes, pair 45 

Acetates, all kinds, legal weight, kilogram 15 

Acids, " " 25@1 10 

Alcohol, net weight, " 90 

Cyanide of potash, legal weigh " 08 

• • Drugs, " " 75 

Indigo, gross weight, " 1 35 

Brooms, " " 03 

Dynamite, " " 01 

Geldings, each 40 00 

Hats, all classes, each .25@1 05 

Ice, gross weight, kilogram 01 

Petroleum, gross weight, kilogram 01 

Soap, " " 18 

Tobacco, ret weight, " 68@2 75 

Tents, gross weight, " 20 

It will be well to remember that these rates are subject to constant 
change, and that many of these things are free of duty to the colonists of 
the International Company of Mexico. 



28 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



THE FREE ZONE. 

The free zone extends along the whole northern frontier of the Mexican 
republic, for a distance of twenty kilometers (12^ miles) south of the bound- 
ary line between the American and Mexican repuhlics. The concession of 
the free zone consists in certain prerogatives that goods imported into it 
enjoy in their dispatch and traffic. Goods imported into the free zone, if 
not dispatched immediately, may be deposited in warehouses after going 
through all the numerous forms of red tape, and being sealed. If taken out 
within six months the duties of the tariff only will be charged ; if taken out 
after that time five per cent additional to the duties themselves shall be 
paid. Upon the withdrawal of goods from the warehouse for consumption 
in the free zone only three per cent of the total of duties for importation 
shall be collected, of which 1.75 per cent, goes to the national treasury and 
1.25 per cent, for the local municipality where the importation is made. 
Goods may be transported anywhere in the free zone under certain limited 
permissions. Goods may be internated * from the free zone under certain 
rules, and a cash payment of the duties of the regular tariff. 

The object of the free zone in having such a low tariff is two fold : first, 
to discourage smuggling; and, second, to encourage settlement by the sup- 
posed resultant correspondingly low prices of the necessaries of life, a mis- 
take made upon an error wide spread by college professors who study books 
and not markets. 



MEXICAN EXPORT DUTIES. 

All national products, effects and manufactured articles are free from 
duty on their exportation, with the exception of those which are or may be 
especially taxed by laws. 

The exportation of national antiquities is prohibited. 

The re-exportation of foreign goods, without payment of fiscal duties, 
shall be allowed only in the case of those goods that are deposited in the 
warehouses established by the government in the maritime and frontier 
custom-houses of the Mexican republic. 



From the Spanish internacion, meaning to introduce into the interior. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 29 

The same general red tape applies to exportation that does to importa- 
tion. 

The law of November 3, 1880, as modified by various circulars, remains 
in force and imposes the following duties : 

Gold in whatever form, one-fourth of one per cent. 

Silver, in whatever form, one-half of one per cent. 

Coined gold and silver having already paid at mint is exempt. 

Orchil, $10 per ton of 1,000 kilos. 

Wood for construction and cabinet work, $2.50 per esterio"(31.34 Amer- 
ican cubic feet). 



PORTS FOR THE COASTING TRADE. 

The following are the ports for the coasting trade in Baja California: 
Muleje, San Jose del Cabo (La Paz custom house), Isla de Guadalupe (En- 
senada de Todos Santos custom house), Bahia de Magdalena andTia Juana. 



PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE. 

The following is quoted from Sutton's Tariff Laws of Mexico, edition of 
1885 : 

Passengers are obliged to present their baggage to the custom-house 
inspector. If they have dutiable articles, they shall also have a written 
manifest. 

Clothing for personal use, if not excessive, and whose quality is in the 
judgment of the administrators, according to the circumstances ©f the pas- 
sengers, shall be considered as the baggage of a passenger, and free'of duty. 

The objects which they wear, or for their use, as a watch, chain, buttons, 
cane, etc., and one or two fire arms with their accessories and one hundred 
charges. 

Professors or artisans can carry free from duties the instruments or tools 
most essential or indispensable to exercise their profession or trade. 

The administrator can permit with each male passenger, if adults, the in- 
troduction free of duties, 99 cigars, 40 packages of cigarettes, and half a kilo- 
gram of snuff or chewing tobacco. 

A circus or opera troupe are also permitted to introduce free of duties 
their costumes and scenery. 

The duties on household furniture used is to be diminished according to 
the damage. 

Personal searches shall only be made in exceptional cases, and by 
another of the same sex, when there is very specific [information, and shall 
not be made without advising the administrator. 



30 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Passengers shall pay nothing for search of baggage, except duties and 
sealing. 

The search of baggage shall be made in a convenient and secure place 
gradually, and of each passenger, one after another, without offensive dis- 
tinction and strictly in turn. The administrator shall be careful to hasten 
service when possible, so as not to detain them longer than necessary. 

It is prohibited under the strictest responsibilities of subordinate em- 
ployes to take the private papers of the passengers, titles of profession or 
property, books, documents of accounts, etc. Their examination shall be 
limited to what is indispensable to ascertain that there be no dutiable 

effects. 

Administrators of custom houses shall take care that their employes 
treat passengers with politeness and urbanity ; make them understand 
before the inspection of their baggage the obligations which custom house 
laws impose upon them ; not permitting subordinate employes to make 
inspections alone, but that some superior officer superintend them. 

Passengers shall not be permitted to commit faults of attention or 
respect either to the ground on which they stand or the Mexican govern- 
ment, and for committing such faults they can even be consigned to the 
local authority for merited punishment. 

Passengers may be permitted to rearrange or revise their baggage or 

effects. 

Custom house inspectors shall take care to have this chapter (Chapter 

IV) printed in French, English, German and Italian, in separate copies for 

each language, and in each one all the Spanish text, that it may serve as a 

notice to passengers who come to the country. Care shall be taken to fix 

these notices in public places, principally where the inspection of baggage 

is made. 

If amongst the baggage of a passenger entering only the Zona Libre 
(free zone) there should come any package of goods whose value exceeds 
$100, their owner must bring them, covered by their respective consular in- 
voices, in order that all the proceedings may be taken in this case that are 
specified for importation. 

The inhabitants and travelers along the American frontier are permitted 
to cross a horse or carriage without payment of customs duties, provided 
that the person who brings them comes with the intention of returning 
with the horse or carriage the same or the following day. 

The requisites for exportation shall not be required of the inhabitants 
of the Zona Libre who may cross a gelding or a carriage to American terri- 
tory only for a little while, nor shall customs duties be collected for said 
horses or carriages upon their return to the Zona Libre. 

The owners of carts or carriages that pass from the American territory 
to the Zona Libre for a certain period of time must solicit from the admin- 
istrator of the custom house the respective permit, securing satisfactorily 
the duties of importation, that, in case they have not been returned to the 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 31 

place of departure at the expiration of the specified term, they may pay the 
corresponding duties. Said terms shall in no case exceed six months. 



HOW REVENUE OFFENDERS ARE PUNISHED. 

The violations of the Mexican tariff law are classified into smuggling, 
fraud, contravention and error, for which the penalties are confiscation, pay- 
ment of double duties, fine, imprisonment, and, if of officials, suspension, 
discharge, disqualification and dishonor. Punishment is also provided for 
bribery. The penalty for smuggling is a total loss of goods and from six 
months to five years' imprisonment; accomplices get half the penalty. The 
penalty for fraud is disqualification and dishonor and from six months to 
five years' imprisonment for Mexican officials; others, from six months to 
four years, together with the payment of double duties upon the goods falsi- 
fied, and a fine of from $200 to $3,000. The penalty for bribery is from six 
months to four years' imprisonment, a fine equivalent to double the bribe 
discharge and disqualification for an official, and the private individual suf- 
fers the same fine and imprisonment. Contraventions are punishable only 
by amendments, and errors are punishable only by fines. 

Fees. — For goods less than $100 in value no papers are necessary, but 
for larger amounts a written manifest must be had, made out by a custom- 
house broker, and stamped and verified before a Mexican consul, costing 
from $25 to $40. 



FREE LIST OF THE INTERNATIONAL CO. 

The following list of articles are allowed free to colonists by the Com- 
pany, until the Government of Mexico furnishes the free duty list : 

1, fresh garlic; 2, peas; 3, rice; 4, oats in grain; 5, sugar; 6, coffee ; 
7, seed barley, wheat and all other seeds; 8, onions; 9, beans; 10, chicken 
peas; 11, bacon and salt meats not canned; 12, lentils; 13, corn; 14 lard- 
15, potatoes ; 16, table table ; 17, tea of all kinds ; 18, geldings ; 19, brooms • 
20, working tools of all kinds; 21, stoves (only one for each family) ; 22 
bricks ; 23, used furniture ; 24, agricultural implements ; 25, machinery of 
all kinds and lumber for building; 26, corn meal and oat meal; 28, steel 
for repairs; 28, ropes ; 29, syrup; 30, pastes, maccaroni, etc. ; 31, tents; 32 
baking powder; 33, wagons; 34, harness (only when brought together with 
horses and mules; 35, condensed milk; 36, dried fruits; 37, nails. 

The quantities allowed for each person per month, are as follows: 

Oat or corn meal, 5 pounds ; sugar, 15 pounds ; coffee, 10 pounds • 
beans, 15 pounds; corn, 10 pounds; lard, 10 pounds; salt, 6 pounds; tea 2 
pounds; bacon 15 pounds; paste, maccaroni, etc., 1 pound for each family 
syrup, two gallons for each family; baking powder, 1 pound for each per- 
son; condensed milk, two cans for each person. 



32 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



CHAPTER III. 

Origin of Mexican Mining Laws — Powers of States — Rights of For- 
eigners — Ownership of Mines — How to Denounce — Extent of 
Ground Granted — Degree of Inclination — Placer Measure. 
Forfeiture — Laav of June 6, 1887 — Fees. 

MEXICAN MINING LAWS. 

The mining laws of Mexico have been translated into English by sev- 
eral eminent legal authors among whom there is none more competent 
than Frederic Hall, Esq., of Los Angeles, by reason of natural ability, thor- 
ough education, and long experience in Mexico. Hall's Mexican Law has a 
national reputation. Rockwell and Hamilton are also authors in that line. 

Origin. — The Mexican mining laws are descended from the Roman 
and Spanish laws. 

The Supreme Court of Mexico has held that the several states have 
power to legislate on miaing. The states have generally availed themselves 
of this privilege. It is thus easy to ascertain in any state the proper author- 
ity to whom the denouncer must appeal in order to obtain his rights and 
title by virtue of a denouncement. 

Mines may be owned and worked by foreigners who may divide their 
mines into as many shares as they deem proper. 

As the fee (perpetual right) in mines is not granted to the denouncer 
they cannot be sold on judgment. 

Mining districts are provided for by law. The miners vote for the offi- 
cials of the district. 

All mines are the property of the state. Mines are held on two condi- 
tions : 

First — That the grantees pay whatever may be demanded of them by 
the state. 

Second — That they operate the mines according to law. 

How to Denounce. — The discoverer acquires three portions (pertenen- 
cias) in the principal vein in one or more mineral mountains wherein no 
mine or shaft has been opened, and a portion in new veins. He must fix 
on and make his portion within ten days. He may hold two portions (per- 
tenencias)in a new vein in a mountain known as worked, if specified within 
ten days. Corporations may have four portions. 

To denounce a mine, the discoverer must present a written statement 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 33 

to the qualified officer of the district, or if none is there, to the nearest 
thereunto. The statement must specify : 

1. The name of the discoverer. 

2. The names of his associates, if any. 

3. The place of his birth. 

4. The place of his habitation. 

5. His profession or employment. 

6. The most particular and distinguishing features of the tract, 'moun- 
tain or vein of which he claims the discovery. 

All of which must be noted in a register by the district official as well 
as the hour in which the discoverer presents himself. The written state- 
ment is then returned to the discovere, and notice of its objectand contents 
are affixed to the doors of the church, the government houses or other pub- 
lic buildings for the sake of notoriety. 

Within ninety days the discoverer shall cause to be made in the vein or 
veins so registered a pit of a yard and a half in diameter or breadth and ten 
yards deep. It is then in order for officials to visit the mine to determine 
the course, direction, size, inclination and character of the vein, and its 
mineral, of all which an account is taken, and added to the statement in the 
district register. The discoverer's portion is then determined and possession 
is immediately given him, and he incloses his determined portion by stakes 
at the limits ; after which an authentic copy of the proceedings is delivered 
to him as a con-esponding title. 

Within the ninety days only will judgment be given to the best 
claimant. 

In case of doubt as to who is the first discoyerer it is decided in favor of 
the one who has first registered. 

Abandoned mines may be denounced in much the same manner. 

Placers are denounced in the same manner as mines or veins, the same 
being understood of all species of metal. 

No employes can denounce a mine within a thousand yards of his em- 
ployer's mine, but they have permission to do so provided their employers 
shall ratify the denouncement. 

No one shall denounce a mine for himself alone, if he has previously 
had partners in the transaction. The denouncer shall declare such part- 
ners in his written statement, under penalty of losing his share thereof if he 
fail so to do. 

Extent of Ground Granted. — On the course and direction of a vein 
may be granted to every miner 200 meters taken on a level, and meas- 
ured in a square. 

If the vein is perpendicular to the horizon a hundred level meters shall 
be measured on either side of the vein, or divided on both sides, as the 
miner may prefer. In all other cases, where there is greater or less degree 



34 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



2 " 


" 6 


2 " 


" 9 


3 " 


" 


3 " 


" 3 


3 " 


ii g 


3 " 


" 9 


4 " 


" 



of inclination (dip), the measurement shall be made according to the follow- 
ing rule : 

If to one meter perpendicular the inclination be from three fingers to 
two palms, the same hundred meters shall be allowed for the square, as in 
the case of the vein being perdendicular. 

Degree of Inclination. — If to the said perpendicular meterjthere be an 
inclination of — 

2 palms and 3 fingers, the square shall be 112^ meters. 
' " " " " 125 " 

< <( it a a 1371 " 

11 t, 15 Q 

,1 u t. tt a 162 £ 

II a tt tt 17 5" a 

" " " " " 187 £ " 

11 a .1 <i <i 200 

So that if to one perpendicular meter there correspond an inclination 
of four palms, which are equal to a meter, the miner shall be allowed 200 
meters on the square on the declivity of the vein, and so on without rest. 
The 200 meters square cannot be exceeded. 

Placer Measures. — With regard to placers, the portions and measures 
shall be regulated by the respective territorial deputations of miners, atten- 
tion being paid to the extent and richness of the place and the number of 
applicants, discoverers having the preference. 

Professional experts are required to be employed in assisting in working 
the mines. Once a month or two months a mining professor must inspect 
the mines. Tunnels and shafts must be kept in proper repair. 

Forfeiture. — Whosoever during four successive months shall fail to 
work any mine with at least four paid workmen, shall loose his right in 
said mine, and any other person may denounce the same, pestilence, famine 
and war within sixty miles, alone preventing. The four months disuse 
shall not forfeit the mine at once, but it is liable to denouncement before 
the miners' tribunals. 

Notice of abandonment must be given, so that other persons desirous of 
taking the mine may have opportunity to do so legally. A mine thus aban- 
doned, if the creditors are also notified, does not remain liable for former 
claims when it is in the hands of a new possessor. 

The refusal of a partner to pay expenses for four months works a for- 
feiture of his share. If he pays his share in full before the end of that time 
he saves his share. 

A mine may be forfeited if not worked, but state legislation may extend 
the time for non-working. By presenting a petition showing good reasoas 
why a delay of work is requisite for the owners, the same will be granted. 

Gold and silver must not be weighed with steelyards. 

All the working mines must keep their tools and utensils marked, and 
if any one shall purchase them from any workman, or receive them in 
pledge, he shall pay for them double value. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 35 

Mining property only is liable for supplies ; neither the miner nor his 
other property is responsible. Contractor-debtors have preference in order 
of priority. 

For no cause shall any mine in litigation be closed, but an intervenor 
may be appointed for the satisfaction of the plaintiff. Work in a mine can 
only be suspended when in a ruinous condition. 

The machines, iron-work, tools, animals, structure, materials or any of 
the necessary provisions of a mine, nor the mine itself, can not be enjoined 
or sold on execution, but the execution shall be levied on the metal produced. 

The cost of working a mine under attachment shall be paid from the 
first proceeds. 

The roll of wages must be paid weekly in coin only. The rates of wages 
are established in each Real or mining district. 

Forests on the public domain in the neighborhood of the mines shall 
serve them for supplies for timber and fuel. 

All contracts for mining supplies must be in writing; if not acknowl- 
edged before a notary or witnesses, they shall not be judicially enforced. 

In the event of seizure and sale, persons who advanced working funds 
are preferred creditors. 

Fees. — Decisions or resolutions for admission of denouncements, record- 
ing documents, concession of maintenance of possession for adjudication, $1. 

Mining deputies are allowed $2 per hour or fraction thereof for attend- 
ance. 

Giving possession, $1.50; surface examination or inspecting one or 
more claims, $5 ; interior examination, $5 for each 100 meters, and $1 for 
each league traveled. 

The officials of the Santa Clara district require a fee of $19 for giving 
possession. 




FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 37 

MINING LAW ENACTED BY THE GOVERNMENT 
OF MEXICO, JUNE 6, 1887. 

The President of the Republic has seen fit to issue the following decree : 
Porfirio Diaz, Constitutional President of the United States of Mexico, 
to its inhabitants —Greetings : 

That the Congress of the Union has seen fit to decree the following: 
The Congress of the United States of Mexico decrees : 
Article 1. From the proclamation of this law, there shall be free from 
all taxes, federal, local and municipal, excepting the stamp tax, all mines of 
mineral coal in all its varieties, mines, petroleum, iron and quicksilver, as 
well as the minerals produced by them ; domestic, wrought and pig iron, in 
all its different shapes, including rails, and domestic quicksilver when a pet 
product of reduction works from which it is extracted. 

Art. 2. These shall be free from inter-state duty and any taxes what- 
soever, irrespective of their names, the circulation in the interior of the 
republic of gold and silver ore, dust, bars or coin, as well as that of other 
metals and all products of the mines. 

Art. 3. Quicksilver, regardless where it comes from, shall be exempt 
from any tax whatever, irrespective of its name. 

Art. 4. Besides the federal duty on coinage, the mines not excepted in 
Article 1, and their products, shall be subject to a single tax only, which 
shall be fixed upon the value of the metal or the substance extracted with- 
out deduction of cost, and which shall never exceed two (2) per centum of 
such value. 

Art. 5. The tax mentioned in the foregoing article shall go to the state 
in which the mine may be located, or to the federal government should the 
federal district or in the territory, for which purpose the amount of such 
ax, within the prescribed limits, shall be annually fixed by the respective 
legislatures of the states, or by the federal congress as the case may be, 
taking in consideration the needs of their exchequer and the protection 
which they are bound to extend to their mining industries. 

Art. 6. Reduction works and all kinds of metallurgical establishments, 
when running, shall pay to the state in which they are located, or to the 
mine be in the federal government should they be in federal district or in the 
territories, as sole tax, which can never be increased, an amount up to six 
per thousand of the value of the establishments, including their machinery. 
Art. 7. The federal government shall receive, in conformity with 
established rules, twenty-five per centum of the taxes, which according to 
the foregoing articles, went to the states. 

Art. 8. Any other tax of whatever nature, except the stamp tax, and 
regardless of the name by which it may go, upon the extraction, production, 
or net profits of the mines, the benefits, production or revenues derived from 



38 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



metallurgical establishments, the capital invested in mines and reduction 
works, shares and title papers of all kinds of mines and metallurgical estab- 
lishments, and deeds transferring ownership of mining properties and 
reduction works, and shares which they represent, are positively prohibited 
by this law. 

Art. 9. The states are forbidden to collect taxes upon the denounce- 
ments, the granting of possession, and other steps necessary for the acqui- 
sition of mining properties and reduction works, and upon the organization 
of mining corporations and the issuing of deeds and shares. 

Art. 10. The Executive is hereby authorized to celebrate contracts 
granting special franchises and ample concessions, without prejudice to 
third parties, to companies guaranteeing the investment of capital in 
mining industries, fixing the extension of the zone given to them for explora- 
tion, with the amount of the capitals invested, the nature of the mineral 
deposits, and the character of the locality, subject to the following general 
rules : 

A. — The duration of the franchises and the special concessions shall in 
no case exceed ten years. 

B. — The minimum capital to be invested within five years in the explor- 
ation shall not be less than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). 

C. — This capital shall remain exempt during ten years of every new 
federal tax except stamp tax. 

D. — The maximum number of mining claims that can be conceded in 
ordinary cases shall be twenty (20), united or separate, graduating their 
numbers according to the rules fixed by the Department of Public Works, 
in proportion to the capital, character of the deposit and nature of the 
locality ; giving the company in all cases the most ample liberty to work one 
or any of their mining claims, employing not less than twenty (20) working- 
men. 

E. — Only in cases of new discoveries or the restoration by mineral dis- 
tricts, the number of claims which can be conceded to a company, can be 
increased by one-half of the above mentioned number of claims according 
to circumstances. 

F — The dimensions of these mines shall be subject to the stipulations 
of the present mining code, except in cases of gold placers, which shall for 
these companies be construed of a claim of irregular deposit. 

G. — Of the twenty claims mentioned in fraction "D"and the thirty 
mentioned in fraction " E," there cannot be claimed in a single vein more 
than ten in the first case and fifteen in the second adjoining or interrupted, 
except in case there should be only a single vein in the mining district, 
in which case all these claims can be located therein. 

H. — These mining operations can be protected by the Department of 
Public Works in cases of special gravity, duly proven, by special extension 
of time up to two years, which maximum can never be exceeded. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 39 

I. — This extraordinary grace which cannot be extended, cannot be 
granted under any pretext whatever more than once; but other extensions 
can be conceded as proyided for in the stipulations of the mining code. 
Neither the extraordinary extension of time nor any other provided for by 
the mining code can be considered a cause to extend the ten year's duration 
of the respective contract. 

J. — The Department of Public Works shall authorize the companies in 
case it should be deemed convenient to sub-divide and transfer partially the 
concessions of these contracts, subject to previous approval, and on condi- 
tion that the two mining companies accept their proportion of the respect- 
ive obligation. 

K. — All the companies, upon terminating the duration of the corre-. 
sponding contract, shall have the rights and obligations which the mining 
•code prescribes to the companies. 

Article 11. — For a term of ten years there shall be exempt from fed- 
eral taxes, excepting the stamp tax, all establishments dedicated to wine 
culture, silk culture and pisciculture. To be entitled to such exemption, 
these establishments shall subject themselves to the conditions contained in 
the respective dispositions. 

Article 12. — The Executive is hereby authorized to contract with rail- 
way companies for a freight reduction upon national products destined for 
the services which they may have performed in conformity with this article. 

B. — The Treasury department and the Department of Public Works 
shall dictate, two months before the beginning of each fiscal year, the neces- 
sary measures which may entitle the exporters who may comply with them 
to enjoy the privilege thereby accorded to them. 

C. — The products of exportation destined to profit by these reduced 
rates, shall be divided in four classes, into which they shall be placed every 
two years by the Executive in proportion to the importance which they may 
require, and the protection which they may demand, such classification to 
be published in advance. 



TRANSITORY ARTICLE. 

From July 1st, 1887, the dispositions of this law relating to the state 
mining taxes shall go into effect, for which purpose the states shall dictate 
the necessary measures. 
Mexico, May 25, 1887. 

Jesus Fuentes Munix, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives ; 

Felix Eomero, 

President of the Senate; 

Eoberto NunEZ, 

Secretary of the House of Representatives; 



40 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Antonio Arguinnis, 
Secretary of the Senate. 
And therefore I order this law to be printed, published, circulated, and 
duly complied with. 

Given in the Executive Palace in Mexico, on the 6th day of June, 1887. 

Porfirio Diaz. 
To General Carlos Pacheco, Secretary of State and of the Department of 
Public Works, Colonization, Industry and Commerce — Present. 
And I communicate this to you for your knowledge and the corre- 
sponding effects. 

Liberty and Constitution, Mexico, June Gth, 1887. 

[Signed:] Pacheco. 



CHAPTER IV. 

A Beautiful Peninsula — Topography — Climate — Population and- 
Wealth — History — The Missions — Resources — International Com- 
pany of Mexico — The Colophon (Kalifornia) of the World. 

LOWER CALIFORNIA. 

" Si quseris peninsulam amamam, circumspice." " If thou seekest a 
beautiful peninsula, behold it here." So sang a poet of Old Italy, and 
truthful is the same song of that New Italy — the peninsula of California. 
The first known of California it has remained the longest unknown. 

Topography. — The peninsula is 750 miles long, and is from 30 to 150 
miles wide, with an average width of 75 miles and has an area of about 
57,500 square miles. It lies between 22<* 52 and 32 e 20' parallels of north 
latitude, and between 109° 53' and 117' a 10 longitude west of Greenwich. It 
extends over nine degrees of latitude north and south, and over seven 
degrees of longitude east and west. Its general trend is northwest and 
southeast. The Sierra Madre (mother mountains) constitute the backbone 
of the peninsula, and is the same range which in Southern California is 
divided northward into the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada. The Sierra 
Madre are of granite formation. Entering the peninsula from the north 
they hug close to the gulf or eastern shore till nearly two-thirds of the way 
down, when they trend further westward till they get about the middle of 
the peninsula, which line they keep till they disappear in the ocean in the 
rocky point of Cape St. Lucas. Their height is never less than 3,000 or 
5.000 feet above sea level, and some long mountains, like San Juan or San 
Pedro de Martir, are over 10,000 feet high, and reach the eternal snow line. 
The latter mountain is said to have a summit area of 90x30 miles, with sev- 
eral peaks from 13,000 to 15,000 feet high. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 41 

The eastern slope is short and steep to the gulf. There is little rain 
fall and streams are few. The climate is arid ; the country and products 
are the same as theMojave and Colorado deserts in Southern California. 

The western slope consists of a series of descending mesas, or table 
lands, to the ocean. Between the main backbone of the peninsula and the 
ocean are several smaller but unimportant ranges. The western slope is 
well watered, as many as twenty-seven large streams flowing into the ocean 
between San Diego and Viscaino bay. The soil is a decomposed granite 
mixed with dessicated vegetable matter, varying in color as it may be mixed 
with different minerals, and produces everything known in semi-tropical 
climes. 

Trees grow almost everywhere, particularly on the mountains. Oaks 
are found from eighteen inches to four and a half feet in diameter. San 
Pedro de Martir mountain alone has one million acres of pines on its sides. 
Sycamore, Cottonwood, elder, willow, ash and cedar are common. 

There are several islands along the shore of more or less importance. 

The eastern shore is sandy and has few harbors. The western shore, 
except between San Quintin and Viscaino bay, is bold and rocky, and has 
some of the finest harbors in the world, notably those of San Quintin and 
Magdalena. 

Climate. — The climate east of the Sierra Madre is like that of Indio or 
Yuma. Along the Pacific Coast it is a little warmer than at San Diego or 
Santa Barbara, as the temperature of the sea water is from one to three de- 
grees higher. From twelve to thirty miles back from the coast the climate 
is much the same as at Los Angeles. Along the foot-hills of the Sierra 
Madre it is almost the same as at San Bernardino. At San Quintin the 
mercury has never been known to go above 90 Q nor below 40°f. 

The rainfall is abundant, ranging from 18 to 40 inches per year. 

Population and Wealth. — The population of the peninsula consists of 
about 25,000 Mexicans, having about doubled in the last 40 years. A major- 
ity of the population is in the southern part of the peninsula on account of 
the pearl fisheries and ocean 'traffic. The aborigines were nearly all killed 
off by the syphilis and fire water introduced by the Spanish, the same as the 
Americans have done among the Indians in the United States. The urban 
population is estimated as follows: La Paz, 10,000; Muleje, 3,000; San 
Jose, 3,000 ; Ensenada, 3,000. 

The wealth, personal and real, is estimated at $3,000,000. 

No survey, census or assessment of the peninsula has ever been made. 

Lower California is a territory of the Mexican republic, and is under the 
direct control of the federal government. 

History. — Discovered by Fortun Ximinez, a Portuguese pilot in the 
employ of Cortez, A. D. 1533. Named California by Francisco Preciado, the 
historian, because of a supposed relation to an island of that name described 
in the "teergas de Esplandian," a very popular novel of those days. The in- 
genius author located his "island of California" at the end of the world "very 



42 



LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



hear the gates of the Terrestrial Paradise." California, or Kalifornia, is the 
German form of the Spanish "Colofonia" from the Greek "Colophon," a city 
of Ionia, whose people were proverbially hinder most. Hence the "colophon" 
(that is the date, residence and name of a printer or publisher) was always 
put at the end of a book, before title pages were introduced. The author of 
the Sergas appropriately chose this name for his fancied finisterre. 

Cortez failed in several efforts to plant colonies along the gulf coast. 

The Jesuits established missions in missions in Lower California from 
A. D. 1697 to 1757, a period of seventy years, when they were banished by 
the govern man t. 

The Franciscans with the renowned Junipero Serra at their head, suc- 
ceeded the Jesuits, and established missions, and ruled the land from 1767 
till the secularization of the missions in 1833, about sixty-six years. Follow- 
ing is a list of the missions established in Lower California : 



MISSION. 


FOUNDER. 


DATE. 


LOCATION. 


1. Loreto 


Jose Maria Salvatierra 


Oct. 25, 1767 


25 c 


29' N. L. 


2. Dolores Del Sur 


a it a 


Jan., 1699 


24 


30 


3. S. F. Xavier de Vigge. . 


Fco. M. Piccoli.. 


March, 1699 


25 


30 


4. Sta. Eosa deMuleje. . . . 


Juan M. Basualda.. . . 


1705 


26 


50 


5. S. Luis Gonzaga 


Juan Ugarte 


1712 


25 






Julian de Mayorga. . . . 


1708 


26 




7. L. Purisima Concepcion 


Nicolas Tamaral 


1718 


26 




8. Nra. Sra. Gaudalupe. . . 


Ugarte & Helen 


1721 


27 




9. San Ygnacio 


J. B. Luvando 


1728 


28 




10. Dolores Del Norte 






29 
23 




11. San Jose del Cabo 


N. Tamaral 


1730 




12. Todos Santos 




1737 
1751 


23 
29 




13. Santa Gertrudis 


Fernando Consag .... 




14. S. Fco. Borxas 


W. Link 


1762 


28 


40 


15. Santa Maria 


V. Arnes 


1767 


29 


40 


16. San Fernando 


J. Serra 


1769 


31 




17. Rosario 


By Dominicans 


1774 


30 


25 


18. San Domingo 


« << 


1775 
1780 


30 
31 


52 


19. San Vicente Ferrer 


30 


20. San Tomas 


a u 

Cayetano Pallos 


1790 
May 28, 1794 


31 
31 


52 


21. S. Pedro de Martir 


50 


22. San Miguel 


Valdellon & Lopez . . . 


1782 


32 


10 


23. Santa Catarina 


Jose Lorient 


May 18, 1797 


31 


20 



The Jesuits in 1767 left 7,495 Indian converts, who were totally des- 
troyed by the ravages of syphilis, small pox and measles, the last one dying 
in 1825. In 1787 the Dominicans had only 3,015 people in the missions. 
The missions were secularized in 1833. In 1867 there were probably 500 
Indians about the old missions, and not over 2,000 in the whole peninsula. 

In 1804 Alta (Upper) and Baja (Lower) California were made separate 
provinces. 

In 1848 three companies of Stevenson's regiment captured La Paz and 
held the peninsula till the Mexican war was over. 



FOR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 



In 1853 William Walker, the filibuster, with an armed force from San 
Francisco, captured La Paz, and set up the full-fledged Republic of Lower 
California, which was soon absorbed by bis Republic of Sonora. Suffering 
from various defeats he retreated up the peninsula to San Diego. 

In 1859 President Buchanan negotiated with the Mexican government 
for the purchase of the peninsula for $15,000,000, but the civil war broke it 

off. 

In 1867 the " Lower California Company of New York " undertook to 
colonize the peninsula but failed. Ben. F. Butler, Ben. Holladay, Sam. 
Brannan, Caleb Cushing and W. G. Fargo were among its members. 

The International Company of Mexico was organized in 1885 for the 
same purpose. Among its members were E. T. Welles, L. R. Huller and 
George H. Sisson. Its concession lias been turned over to a new manage- 
ment, with B. Scott, Esq., of Ensenada, as general manager. It has a con- 
cession for all the public domain on the peninsula north of the 28th parallel. 

The title of the International Company is one in fee simple from the 
Mexican Government, which is pledged to warrant and defend the convey- 
ance so made to the International Company, and is pronounced by the high- 
est Mexican authority to be absolute and conclusive. 

By its efforts flourishing colonies exist at Ensenada, Colnett and San 
Quintin. A railroad coast survey has been made between San Diego and 
Ensenada. 

Resources. — The gold fields of Lower California do not alone yield 
golden metal but golden cereals and golden fruits. Citrus and deciduous 
fruits, cereals, the banana, plaintain, date palm, cotton, tobacco, orchilla, 
yucca, hemp, flax, cattle, fish, game, guano, etc. In fact, all the semi-tropi- 
cal fruits grow here luxuriantly. Following were the exports of the penin- 
sula for 1857 according to official Mexican figures : 

Hides, 13,000 pieces, $32,500 ; salt, 2,000 tons, $12,000; cheese, 100,000 
pounds, $8,000; brown sugar, 29,000 pounds, $11,000; dried figs, 32,500 
pounds, $1,300; raisins, 28,500 pounds, $2,200 ; soap, 2,610 pounds, $2,610; 
wine, 54 barrels, $540; dried dates, 20,000 pounds, $1,200; oranges, 22,000 M, 
$220 ; salt fish, 1,150 pounds, $96 ; Brazil wood, 150 tons, $3,000 ; silver ore, 
250 tons, $5,600; silver metal, 2,000 marks, $16,000; gold, 80 ounces, $1,120; 
tortoise shell, 300 pounds, $6,000 ; pearls, $21,750; mother of pearl, 495,700 
pounds @ 6 cents, $29,740. 

A total of about $155,000. In 1866 the exports had increased to 
$1,000,000, and they have steadily increased since. 

The pearl fisheries are on the southeastern shores of the peninsula and 
are controlled by a monopoly. These fisheries have yielded some of the 
finest pearls in the world, several as large as pigeon eggs, which adorn the 
royal regalias of Europe. 

Copal. — In the northern central part of Lower California there is an 
extensive copal forest, where the copal tree flourishes. Here hundreds of 
tons of the resinous substance are scattered over the earth, some hardened 



44 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



with age and of a dark color; that of a lighter color is of more recent forma- 
tion, while bunches of the resin still adhere to the trees, which is only par- 
tially hardened, and is nearly pure white. From the substance of the copal 
tree is manufactured the famous copal varnish. 

Onyx. — The quarry of San Borjas, just south of the 29th parallel of lati- 
tude, furnishes that brilliant onyx known as chalcedony. The largest slabs 
of onyx known in the world were taken from this quarry and adorn the altar 
of the church there. They are three feet wide and are beautifully striped. 
This quarry was re-discovered by Don Jose Moraga, of Santa Barbara, while 
working a gold mine near there several years ago. 

When Bayard Taylor was sailing up the Sacramento river in a whale 
boat, in 1849, he met persons returning from the mines who told him that 
California was played out. Forty years of experiment has demonstrated the 
worthlessness of their judgment. The metals, cereals, fruits and liquors of 
Alta California command the markets of the world. Some of the mental 
descendants of these same fellows are coming back from the gold fields say- 
ing that Lower California is played out. The boundary line does not change 
the climate and resources. Nature has not placed an oasis on the American 
s:de and a desert on the Mexican side. Alta California itself was once a part 
of Mexico. The same mountains tha 1 , are towers of strength to Southern 
California are the eternal fastnesses of the peninsula. The same balmy breezes 
blow softly amid her pines and waft the fragrance of her orange blossoms 
inland. The same characteristics of soil, climate and products exist south 
of the boundary line as north. It is a land of sunshine and silver, of fruits 
and flowers, of grain and gold, of gems and jewels, of the walnut and wine, 
of the olive and the orange, of banana and tobacco, of fish and fowl, of grand 
possibilities and certain probabilities of development. The "great American 
desert," which was driven westward so many years by the map-workers> 
who as late as- 1700 made California an island, and who shoved their mysti- 
cal waste on the peninsula, will have to find another abiding place — jii the 
maps. 

The Colophon of the "World. — With a soil so rich and well watered' 
and so genial a clime, it is only the question of time, and not long either, 
when the great valleys and broad mesas of the peninsula will be occupied by 
a soil-delving and cultured people. Her grand harbors indicate her future 
commercial greatness. With the country fully populated, and it can sustain 
a dense population, with its cities which will grow by its harbors, with a clime 
which is a help instead of a hindrance to work, it will, with Southern Cali- 
fornia, whose climate and soil are identical, be the colophon of the world — 
hindermost only in the sense of time. Here will be the grand culmination 
of the world's civilization. Here the arts and sciences will attain their 

highest perfection. 

"Times noblest offspring is the last." 



FOE MINERS AND SETTLERS. 45 



CHAPTER V. 

The Metric System — Glossary of Mining Terms — Glossary of Span- 
ish Mininc Terms — Territorial Directory — Annual Eainfall — 
Advertisements. 

THE METRIC SYSTEM. 

Mexico adopted the metric system in 1857 for all weights and measures 
except money. In the United States of America, while allowable, it is prac- 
tically applied only to money. The standard units of the metric system 
are : 

A meter — which is 39.37 inches. 

An are — which is 1-10 less than four square rods. 

A liter — which is 1.05 quart. 

A gramme — which is equal to 15.4 grains. 

Changes from the standard units are according to the decimal scale of 
tens, making it the most natural and easy system of computation in the 
world. 

The descending changes are designated by prefixing the Latin ordinals 
to the names of the standard units and the Greek cardinals for the ascend- 
ing changes. Deci, express the 10th part; centi, the 100 part; and milli 
the 1,000th part. Deca expresses 10 times the value ; hecto, 100 times ; 
kilo, 1,000 times and myria 10,0000 times. 

Thus a kilogram, so often quoted in the tariff, is 2 1-5 pounds avordu- 
pois. A kilometer is nearly 5-8 of an English mile. A centimeter is is .39 
of an inch. A hectare is nearly 2-| f.cres. A litre is a gallon and .45 of a 
gill. 



GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS. 

Adit — a horizontal tunnel to drain mines. 

Bed — a seam or horizontal vein of ore. 

Bob — the beam of an engine or pump. p 

Bottoms — the lowest workings in a stope level or elsewhere. 

Cage — the band of a whim, or the elevator. 

Country — the strata or rock through which the vein or lode passes. 

Crushing — grinding the ore without water. 

Dead ground — a portion of a lode where there is no ore. 

Dip — direction of a lode or vein. 

Drift — an excavation made for a road underground. 

Driving — digging horizontally. 



46 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Foot-wall — the wall under the lode. 

Hanging wall — the wall over the lode. 

Horse — dead ground. 

Levels — galleries on the lode. 

Lode — a regular vein of metal. 

Run — direction. 

Shaft — a pit or sump. 

Smelting — reducing the ore hy fire. 

Stope — a horizontal bed; ore adjacent to the levels; to stope, to excavate 

horizontally, layer after layer. 
Spar — quartz. 

glag — melted mineral refuse of a smelter. 
String — a small vein. 
Sump — a shaft or pit. 
Tamping — material (dirt or soft stone) placed on gunpowder to confine its 

force. 
Whim — a hoisting machine. 
Winze — a shaft on a lode connecting one level with another. 



SPANISH MINING TERMS. 

[Spanish is a purely phonetic language; the Spanish j always has the 
power of the English h.J 

Acero — steel. 

Ademador — a mining carpenter. 

Agua fuerte — nitric acid. 

Alimentos — a grub stake. 

Arrastra — a primitive mill for crushing ores. 

Azogue — quicksilver. 

Azufre — sulphur. 

Aviador — he who supplies funds for working mines. 

Barranca — a ravine. 

Batea — a bowl or miner's pan. 

Bonanza — a rich find in a mine. 

Borrasca — the opposite of a bonanza. 

Caballo — a horse. 

Cal — lime. 

Caliche — calcareous matter. 

Cerro — a hill. 

Chino — pyrites. 

Cobre — copper. 

Cuerpo — lode. 

Denuncio — to denounce. 



FCR MINERS AND SETTLERS. 47 

Dedo — the twelfth part of a palmo. 

Ensaye — assay. 

Fanega — 1.599 of an English bushel. 

Fanegado — an extent of land ; 90^ fanegados are equal to 100 English acres. 

Frente — the extremity of an adit or other level. 

Frijoles, beans. 

Granada — a garnet. 

Grasas — slug. 

Hacienda — farm, manor, estate; establishment for reducing ores. 

Hechado — dip of a lode. 

Hierro — iron. 

Hierro colado — cast iron. 

Hierro labrado — wrought iron. 

Intervenor — an inspector representing the interests of proprietors by whom 

appointed, or of the arivador. 
Marc — eight ounces. 

Mojon — a landmark to designate the limits of pertenencias. 
' Muertras — samples. 
Onique — onyx. 
Oro — gold. 

Palmo — quarter of a vara, or old Spanish yard. 
Patio — a court yard. 
Pepitas — gold or silver nuggets. 
Peso — a dollar. 
Pertenencia — a miner's claim, 112^- to 200 meters, according to the underlay 

of the vein. 
Pena — rock. 
Plomo — lead. 
Polvoro — gunpowder. 
Poso — a well, pit or shaft. 
Quarzo — quartz. 
Quilate — a carat. 

Real — ^ of a dollar, a California " bit ;" also a mining district. 
Sal — salt. 

Serape — a kind of blanket. 
Vara — a Spanish yard, nearly 33 English inches. 



DIRECTORY OF FEDERAL OFFICES. 

General Government of Mexico. — President, General Porfirio Diaz; 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, I. Mariscal ; Attorney General, Joaquin Bar- 
anda ; Secretary of War and Navy, General Pedro Hinojosa ; Secretary of 
the Treasury, M. Dublan ; Secretary of State, Manuel Romero Rubio ; Secre- 
tary of Public Works, Colonization and Commerce, General Carlos Pacheco. 



48 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



Territorial Government of Baja California. — Governor, Gen. Luis E. 
Torres; Secretary, Francisco Mufioz ; Keeper of Archives, Miguel Santos; 
Amenuensis, Eosario F. Cota. 

Custom House of Ensenada. — Collector, Castillo Romero; Cashier. 
Manuel Gomez Montano ; Appraiser, Miguel Calvo y Arias; Commander of 
Custom House Guard, Jose A. Eubalcava. 

Captain of the Fort — Juan B. Verde. 

Custom House at Tia Juana. — Collector, Francisco A. Flores. 

District Court. — Judge, Jose Eeyes Spindola; Secretary, Clemente 
Galindo Campos; Promotor Fiscal, Francisco Espinosa. 

Court of First Instance. — Judge, Pedro Rendon ; Secretary, Jesus M. 
Cadena; Agent of Public Minister, Genero Lamadrid. 

Civil Judge. — Frederico Palacio. 

Federal Rural Troops. — Commandant, Pedro Miramontes. 

Government Telegraph Offices. — Todos Santos, Superintendent, J. 
Palafox ; Real del Castillo, T. Lamadrid ; Local Postoffice Administrator, J. 
M. Gonzalez. 

Revenue Stamps. — Sub-administrator, Carlos Guijosa. 

Public Schools. — Teacher of girls' school, Luisa Narcio; teacher of boys' 
school, Jose M. Lanz Zavala; English school, Mrs. Z. E. Gray, principal, 
and Mrs. A. Ramus, assistant. 

Municipality of the Northern Section of the Territory. — Second 
Alderman, Emilio Legaspy; third, Antonio Feliz ; fourth, Solano Amador ; 
fifth, Jesus Rivera; sixth, Victoriano Warner; seventh, or Attorney-General 
of the Town, Luis Mendelson ; Treasurer, or Municipal Collector, A. Villa- 
rino. 



ANNUAL RAINFALL IN LOWER CALIFORNIA. 

Taken from the daily record as kept at Ensenada by Col. D. K. Allen, 
Land Inspector of the International Company: 

YEARS. INCHES. 

1878-1879 15.50 

1879-1880 17.75 

1880-1881 15.25 

1881-1882 9 50 

1882-1883 42.00 

1883-1884 18.10 

1884-1885 32.05 

1885-1886 - 27.15 

1886-1887 24.10 

1887-1888 25.50 

Total 226.90 

Average 22.69 

The amount of rainfall so far this season has been 18 inches. 

St. Nicholas Mill Shipments. — The mill has been running about five 
weeks, during which time two clean-ups have been made; the first return 
being $2,143.92. The second gold brick has gone forward, weighing 95 
ounces. The value is estimated at $1,600. The third is expected about the 
20th of March, 1889. 



TJrIK DIRKCT LINE 

-TO THE 

GOLD FIELDS OP LOWER CALIFORNIA, 



-IS VIA 





To San Diego, California. 

THENCE BY STAGE LINE TO THE MINES, 125 MILES DISTANT, OR BY STEAMERS 
from San Diego to Ensenada, there connecting with stages for the mines, forty-five 
miles distant, 

Through Pullman Palace Sleeping Cars and Through Pullman Tourist. 
Sleeping Cars run daily from Chicago and Kansas City to San Diego, 

For rates of fare and all information, apply to any of the agents of the 

SANTA KK SYSTEM, 



OR TO 

W. F. WHITE. 

Trf. Mgr. Santa Fe Route, 
Topeka, Kansas, 

GEO. T. NICHOLSON, G. P. A., A. T. & S. F. K. K., Topeka, Kan 



H. B. WH.KINS. 

G. P. A. Cal. Sou. and Cal. Cent. 
Los Angeles, Cai. 



E. BLAINE, 

G. P. A.,C. H. F. &C. Ry., 

Chicago, 111. 



W. A. BISSELL, 

G. P. A., A. &P. R. R., 

San Francisco. 




Ml 



THE 






OLtD SEMABLiE 



St. Nicholas 



SiMHJMSiMlNE; 




M INK! 



— AND THE — 



San Francisco, 



Located two miles north of the mining town 
of Real Del Castillo, 32 miles east of Ensen- 
ada, communication by Stage and Telegraph, the present company under the title of 
The Consolidated St. Nicholas and San Francisco Gold Mining Company, of 

Lower California, office 1318 D. St., San Diego, have three shafts at the ST. NICHOLAS ledge 
(which varies in width from 5 to 10 feet). One at a depth of 90 leet, one at 80 feet, and the third 
being intended for the main shaft is down 45 feet, having developed the same as the two former 
shafts, ore varying from $L5 to $300 per. ton. The equipment of the mine consists of Boiler and 
Engine, of 40-horse power, a heavy 10-Stamp Mill, 1000 lbs. to the stamp, a large Dow Pump, Bat- 
teries, Reduction Works, Blacksmith Shop, Boarding and Lodging Houses, all tools, offices, etc. 

The MILL now in operation has made three clean ups, aggregating $5000, making a magni- 
ficent showing. The outside plates alone paying the expenses of mining and milling. 

The SAN FRANCISCO MINE owned by the company is claimed to be as good as the 
St. Nicholas, but less developed. A lease or sale of a one-half interest in this mine is contem- 
plated, and capitalists will do well to investigate and secure an interest in this valuable prop- 
erty. Ex-Governor Ryerson, of Lower California, J. P. Wallace, of the Standard Iron Works, San) 
Diego, Cal., Col. Payne, of the Los Angeles Tribune, have examined and are conversant with 
these properties. 



h 



60 AND 62 
H. mniH street, 

yT>^ LOS ANGELES, 

^ CAL. 



V^ 



s 



LARGEST 

SHOE STORE 



% 



-IN- 








SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 

OUR 

ISS BOOTS AND 

Are Made out of Selected Stock to Order. 

The f>e£t iii the >ik^ket, 

Our $3.00 Shoes, in all Styles, the Best on Earth, 
Express or Mail Orders Promptty Attended To. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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